The people behind each door.

GPGP partner and clinical lead

Dr Helen Marchbank

MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG

Founded Meridian in 2016 after fourteen years as an NHS partner. Runs the same-day list and the long-term conditions clinic.

“Forty minutes is not a luxury. It is how long it takes to be sure, and being sure is cheaper for everyone.”

GPGP

Dr Samuel Adeyemi

MBChB, MRCGP, DipSEM

Sports and exercise medicine diploma. Leads the health check programme and the corporate clinics.

“A health check should change something. If every number comes back fine, I still want you leaving with one thing to do.”

GPGP

Dr Fiona Grant

MBBS, MRCGP, DFSRH

Part-time GP who also holds the travel clinic and the Sunday urgent list once a month.

“Most of what I see on a Sunday morning could have waited, and I would still rather people came than worried.”

ChildrenConsultant paediatrician

Dr Tomasz Kowalski

MD, MRCPCH

General paediatrician with an interest in allergy and respiratory illness. NHS consultant in Reading three days a week.

“Parents are usually right that something is wrong. My job is to find out what, and to say clearly when it is nothing.”

SkinConsultant dermatologist

Dr Aisha Rahman

MBBS, MRCP (Dermatology)

Eleven years running an NHS dermatology clinic; still there two days a week. Does every mole check and minor procedure here herself.

“If you have looked at a mole twice and wondered, that is the appointment. Fifteen minutes and you know.”

PhysioLead physiotherapist

Ben Okafor

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP

Musculoskeletal and sports physio, formerly with a Championship football club. Runs the first-floor gym and the running clinic.

“You are discharged when you can do the thing you came in unable to do, not when the sessions run out.”

PhysioPhysiotherapist, pelvic health

Lucy Fairweather

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, POGP

Pelvic health and women's health physiotherapy: pregnancy, after birth, prolapse, continence. Also general musculoskeletal.

“Leaking when you laugh is common. It is not normal, and it is nearly always fixable.”

DentalDentist

Dr James Whitfield

BDS, MFDS RCS

General dentist for sixteen years, the last eight here. Keeps two emergency slots every morning and takes nervous patients slowly.

“A written price before I pick up a drill. Every time, for everything, no exceptions.”

DentalDental hygienist and therapist

Sarah Nkemelu

Dip Dental Hygiene and Therapy

Hygiene, gum health, children's fillings and fissure sealants. Runs the school-holiday children's dental mornings.

“Gums bleed because they are inflamed, not because you brushed too hard. Three visits and most people stop bleeding.”

WomenGP, women's health and menopause lead

Dr Priya Raman

MBBS, MRCGP, DFSRH, BMS Menopause Specialist

Runs the women's health list four days a week and the menopause clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fits coils and implants.

“Nobody should be told to put up with it. Bring the list of symptoms; we go through all of them.”

WomenConsultant gynaecologist (Wednesdays)

Miss Catherine Doyle

MD, FRCOG

NHS consultant gynaecologist in Reading, here on Wednesdays for heavy bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis and prolapse. Ultrasound the same visit.

“Most of what I see has been going on for years. It does not need to.”

MindConsultant psychiatrist (Mondays and Fridays)

Dr Marcus Feld

MBBS, MRCPsych

Adult psychiatrist: assessment, diagnosis, medication and adult ADHD. Works with Anna so that therapy and medication are one plan.

“A diagnosis is a starting point for a plan, not a label. I write the report so you can read it, not so a clinician can.”

MindCounsellor

Anna Lindqvist

MA Counselling, BACP Accredited

Integrative counsellor. Anxiety, low mood, grief, burnout. First session within the week; sees people in English and Swedish.

“The free call is so nobody pays to find out we are the wrong fit. About one in six people I send somewhere better.”

TestsSonographer

Rosa Delgado

BSc Radiography, PgDip Medical Ultrasound

Scans abdomen, pelvis, thyroid, musculoskeletal and early pregnancy four days a week. Reports the same day.

“If it helps you to see the screen, I turn it round and talk you through it. Most people find it calmer than not knowing.”

TestsNurse practitioner, diagnostics lead

Grace Oyelaran

RN, BSc, Independent Prescriber

Runs the phlebotomy room, ECGs, vaccinations and the nurse half of every health check. Fits the 24-hour monitors.

“Nobody likes needles. Tell me, look away, and it is done before you have finished the sentence.”

Practice manager

Tom Reilly

Answers the phone, sorts insurance pre-authorisation, and is the person to ask when something has gone wrong.

“If you do not know which department you need, ring me. That is a normal question and it takes two minutes.”